Significantly improved ergonomics

Large quantities of stored goods, food and medicines are to be transported to their destinations in a hospital group in Bamberg, Bavaria, with 900 beds in personnel-guided industrial trucks. Staff shortages and the physically strenuous tasks demanded everything from the service staff - with negative health consequences: Musculoskeletal disorders were the most common reason for absenteeism. The clinic management wanted to remedy the situation and was looking for a more ergonomic transportation solution. The contract was awarded to local company Digital.Fabrik GmbH, a developer of smart digital products. Digital.Fabrik GmbH has expertise in hardware and software development. Thanks to the interdisciplinary approach, customers benefit from holistic solutions that are thought through with foresight. The adaptation of digital business models to existing products in particular opens up new markets and thus future viability. Digital.Fabrik GmbH is therefore the perfect partner when a challenge needs to be turned into an innovation. The requirements were that the vehicle should be easy to learn and intuitive to operate. Simple controls and ease of maintenance were also required. In the end, Digital.Fabrik developed the easyMoveR, a pedestrian-controlled industrial truck that drives under and moves the containers.

However, a suitable drive system was initially lacking. The one previously used was no longer being manufactured, which is why those responsible went online to look for a suitable supplier. They were particularly impressed by Blickle's online presence and made personal contact. "We took a close look at the vehicle and recommended the use of our ErgoMove® 1000 electric drive system," explains Daniel Hirschler, Sales Manager of the ErgoMove business unit at Blickle.

The ErgoMove® 1000 moves loads of up to 1,000 kilograms. In addition to electric drive support, the system also offers steering and braking support. This Blickle development has electrically driven fixed casters with integrated dead man's brake. The high-quality polyurethane elastomer Blickle Besthane® Soft with a hardness of 75 Shore A serves as the running surface. The particularly thick and elastic coating offers a high level of ride comfort, is gentle on the floor and ensures quiet operation. The ErgoMove® 1000 cockpit is clearly structured, intuitive to operate and has an integrated control unit with rechargeable batteries.

EasyMoveR with the electric drive system from Blickle has made work in the service area of the clinic much easier. "Our employees no longer have to struggle with heavy containers, as the entire load is taken over by the system and transported efficiently. This is good for our team's health," explains Marco Deinhart, foreman of the hospital's housekeeping service. "The requirements for intuitive operation and simple control were met in full. The system is easy to learn and easy to maintain. Our employees have accepted easyMoveR very well," he adds.

The new industrial truck has optimized work processes in the clinic. Whereas two employees were previously required to transport the containers, thanks to the ErgoMove® 1000, one service employee is now sufficient. The powerful electric drive system also saves costs because the containers can be loaded much heavier than before. This results in fewer trips. Hermann Schleier, authorized representative of the management of Service Gesellschaft Sozialstiftung Bamberg mbH, appreciates the advantages in handling. "We can now move heavy loads ergonomically and the transport system is also very maneuverable in narrow aisles," he says. Good marks for the service provided by the project partners. "We received several test versions and knew exactly what to expect," he explains and concludes: "This transport solution is also a clear recommendation for other clinics."

• Ergonomic container handling
• Cost reduction for intralogistics processes
• Relief for employees
• Use of the easyMoveR permitted without an industrial truck license